Sunday, February 27, 2011

Another Birthday came. As much as I hate that they keep coming, they still do. J was out of town for the day but the kids made sure I still had a special day. Chocolate covered strawberries . . . my favorite . . . smart kids.

They sang to me and everything. Then we dipped the berries and added whip cream.

It was so yummy, but even better was the time with my kiddos.

I just love this face. Jumba is my precious. He got mad at me the other night and broke my heart. "I hate you mommy!" I know he didn't mean it but it still broke my heart to hear it.

Jason came home but Pooker had to work. We took the whole crowd out to dinner to celebrate. The Tobias family came with us. It was so nice to have Jason and Larry both making sure I felt special. I had a drink and cake. It was fun. We decided to eat where Pooker works so that we were all together.
All the kiddos were squeezed into a little booth. Each one getting their own drinks and needing to run to rest room constantly.

My boys. I love each of them and it fun to watch them interact. They are very different from the girls.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Our friend Mr. D found out that after two years of working hard at Lone Star Community College soaking up credits that he will headed to the University of North Texas in the Dallas area (Denton, TX) next fall.

We waited for even Jumba to join the crowd and we pulled out some sparkling juice.

It might not have been a proper toast, as I am sure his mom and dad gave him. We did enjoy celebrating with him.

Congrats Mr. D. We are very happy for you. We will miss your random visits and will look forward to seeing you over your breaks.

What does your family do for Valentine's Day? My hubby always goes out with the boys and gets each girl a special flower. He tells them that their hearts belong to their daddy until they are much much older. I always get some flowers as well. This year I also got some chocolate! Yummy.

The other treat of the day came from the kiddos. Possible planned an entire production with the help of Sugar, Princess and Bagel. They also employed the acting skills of Pickle and Jumba.

We were issued our tickets and snack vouchers earlier in the weekend. We were instructed not to misplace the tickets and we didn't.

Pickle was a secondary actor. He was such a honey but not a lead role.

Here comes the star of my heart but not really of the production. Jumba was the cutest cowboy (boyfriend) of the main character. When he road up on his horse (bike with training wheels) wearing his boots and his hat, my heart melted. What a cutie our little Jumba is!

The audience was ready. Poor Mr. D or lucky depending on how you felt about the production. He is without many younger siblings (Just one sister a few years his junior) so this was probably his first experience watching a show.

Princess was a main character for sure. In the production we discover that she is a homeless girl that befriends Bagel's character.

Sugar and Possible kept this moving. They were there to remind others of their lines and hand on props and such, Possible had minor roles and did a wonderful job.

In this scene Pickle is playing the role of a clothes rack and Possible is a sales clerk. They are so versatile.

The honey of the show was this adorable Cowboy. My heart is still going pitter patter.

He is not afraid to be on the stage and act out his part.

I am thinking that Bear is now worried that Jumba is better actor. We all enjoyed remembering the many plays that the oldest 3 would put on when we lived in St. Louis. The night was spent in giggles as we tried to explain to Mr. D about the play about the weather. Bear cried through the entire thing but their Aunt KeeKee cheered them all on.

Mr. D loved the time with the kiddos and they loved that he enjoyed their acting.

This really was a wonderful way to end a day about love. We were with family and friends and enjoyed some wonderful entertainment. (It wasn't costly either!)

Bravo to my Texas T Valentine Actors. I love each of you more than you will every know.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Tonight's talk was on true love. Valentine Day was the very next day. Some were out that night making sure they had the perfect gift for their loved ones. Not the Lifeteen kiddos at our parish.

Instead it was planned to surprise the kiddos with a little time with the example of perfect love.

Our God, made man, died for us so that we could enter heaven. Tonight He humbled himself to the form of bread so that these teens could love on Him and just be with Him.

The pictures can not do justice. When 230 teens open their eyes to our Lord and their hearts open the world is a better place. When we learn to love like this all will be right in the world.

The teens were not forced to pray but allowed to. It was a wonderful evening and I felt so blessed to be a part of it. John Paul II often spoke of the power of prayer from the young people. I could feel it this night with all of them surrounding me offering to our Lord and Savior all their pains, delights, desires and prayers.

Here the kids are once again at the Neighborhood Soda Shoppe. This is a neighborhood Valentine tradition. I don't know when it started but my kiddos have been every year since we moved to Houston years ago.

These are my special Valentines. Pooker had to work and dad wasn't feeling well. This is a tradition that they love. They come home with stories of Cookies and Ice Cream Floats.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

This was a great visit and really made me look forward to our trip next summer. I loved the time with my family. I miss them so much. It was also a good trip in that I realized how different we are from our two St. Louis families. J and I are not worried about being politically correct and we do value our faith on levels that make us stand out. I used to get upset that our families were not on the same page. This trip I really did learn to let go of that. I love our families so much for just who they are not who I want them to be. If they can not accept who we are then that is on them, but they all seam to love us just the same. I know that is simple and a very long time coming but it was very uplifting. As much as I am tired of living in Houston and long for a new adventure, I am so glad that we have had this time to grow as a family and as individuals. I like who I am and I love who J is.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

My mom, Mimi and her sister, my MamiBit have always been close. My aunt is about 10 years older than my mom. They have a brother between them, Uncle Marc. I love his family but we are not as close as we are with MamiBit's. My aunt's youngest and I (Mimi's oldest) are just five years apart. We spent so much time together when we were younger that we didn't know we were just cousins. I grew up close to them, all of them. I miss my aunt, my cousins and their children as much as I miss my mom, sister and brother. The plan was we would leave early the next morning. This was my last night in St. Louis. My cousins all made it over with KeeKee and JoeJoe. So many of my loved ones in one place. I had a wonderful time. I am so thankful to all of these loved ones.

I really am very blessed to have such a great family. Fr. Tom was also with us to visiting. He brought Katie and Brendan so the March For Life crowd was reunited. This crazy little crowd played spoons for hours.

What will I see here?

Take a peek into our life as a big family in Houston, TX. Welcome to the electronic journal for the Texas T family. This blog was created to share some moments of our life with you. Often having 11 children (including twins), homeschooling, and being incredibly active in our Catholic faith we are asked “How do you do it?” We invite you to look around, sign up as a follower, and peek into the answer to that question. Remember we are not a perfect family; but I won't post the bad stuff.

Thanks for visiting, Neen

Texas T Family

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The Nicene Creed

We believe (I believe) in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages. (God of God) light of light, true God of true God. Begotten not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary and was made man; was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried; and the third day rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And (I believe) in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who together with the Father and the Son is to be adored and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets. And one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess (I confess) one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for (I look for) the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help ~ Pray For Us!

Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church you are also our Mother of Perpetual Help. With hearts full of love for you we consecrate ourselves to your Immaculate Heart so that we may be your devoted children. Obtain for us true sorrow for our sins and fidelity to the promises of our Baptism. We consecrate our minds and hearts to you that we always do the Will of our heavenly Father. We consecrate our lives to you that we may love God better and live not for ourselves but for Christ, your Son and that we may see Him and serve Him in others. By this humble act of consecration dear Mother of Perpetual Help we pledge to model our lives on you, the perfect Christian. So that, consecrated to you in life and in death we may belong to your Divine Son for all eternity. Amen

St. Nicholas ~ Pray for Us!

The great Saint Nicholas was a real man that suffered persecution and imprisonment by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Later in the year 325AD this Bishop of Myra participated in the Council of Nicaea, meaning he helped with the Nicene Creed. (So "Santa" helped write the creed that we say each week at Mass to this day over 1600 years later!)

St. Joseph ~ Pray For Us!

NINE-DAYS NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH (Note: This prayer was found in the 50th year of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Sometime during the 16th century, it was sent by the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. It is said that whoever shall read this prayer or take it with them, shall never die a sudden death or be drowned, nor shall poison take effect on them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy, or shall be burned in any fire or shall be overpowered in battle.) Say this prayer for nine days for anything you may desire. Then let go and let God. Trust that whatever is the outcome of your novena is truly what is best for you in accordance with the will of God.) O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O Saint Joseph, assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. Amen O Saint Joseph, hear my prayers and obtain my petitions. O Saint Joseph, pray for me. (Mention your intention)

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

"In today's social context, families with many children are a witness of faith, of courage and of optimism, for without children there is no future,"

St. John Paul II ~ Pray For Us!

"The newborn child gives itself to its parents by the very fact of its coming into existence. Its existence is already a gift, the first gift of the Creator to the creature."

St. Charles Borromeo

St. Gianna Molla, Pray For Us

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen ~ Pray For Us!

St. Frances of Rome ~ Pray for us!

It is most laudable in a married woman to be devout, but she must never forget that she is a housewife. And sometimes she must leave God at the altar to find HIM in her housekeeping.

St. John Vianney, Curé of Ars ~ Pray For Us!

“do not be alarmed at your burden; Our Lord carries it with you. The good God does well all that He does: When He gives many children to a young mother it is that He deems her worthy to rear them. It is a mark of confidence on His part.”

Mother Angelica

Saint Teresa of Calcutta ~ Pray for Us!

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati ~ Pray for us!

"Heavenly Father, Give me the courage to strive for the highest goals, to flee every temptation to be mediocre. Enable me to aspire to greatness, as Pier Giorgio did, and to open my heart with joy to Your call to holiness. Free me from the fear of failure. I want to be, Lord, firmly and forever united to You. Grant me the graces I ask You through Pier Giorgio's intercession, by the merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."

St. Gertrude the Great ~ Pray For Us!

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

St. Jude ~ Pray For Us!

(Novena say this for 9 days) Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly - (make your request here)- and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.

St. Anthony of Padua ~ Pray For Us!

Holy Saint Anthony, gentle and powerful in your help, your love for God and charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were always ready to request for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle. Even so, you are the Saint of miracles. Gentle and loving Saint Anthony, whose heart is ever full of human sympathy, take my petition to the Infant Savior for whom you have such a great love, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.

St. Simon and St. Jude ~ Pray For Us!

Father, you revealed yourself to us through the preaching of your apostles Simon and Jude. By their prayers, give your Church continued growth and increase the number of those who believe in you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.